Best Places In The World To Retire

Chapala and Ajijic have a lot of traditions. The north shore of the lake, which has most of the expat population, is comprised of nine villages. Each Mexican village has its own series of religious and traditional events throughout the year.
 
In Ajijic, the biggest festival of the year is the Festival of Saint Andrew (San Andres), which is the patron saint of the main church in Ajijic. They have a 9-day celebration that all happens during the week of the American Thanksgiving....

Chapala and Ajijic have a lot of traditions. The north shore of the lake, which has most of the expat population, is comprised of nine villages. Each Mexican village has its own series of religious and traditional events throughout the year.
 
In Ajijic, the biggest festival of the year is the Festival of Saint Andrew (San Andres), which is the patron saint of the main church in Ajijic. They have a 9-day celebration that all happens during the week of the American Thanksgiving. They do special events for Easter, Christmas, etc. The event that caters to locals and expats alike is the Festival del Globos, which is the balloon festival. They use handmade paper balloons during this festival. People spend months making these tissue-paper balloons. Then they light up fire on a wax ring and the balloons fill up with hot air and float off at the end of the night. That’s one of my favorite festivals here.
 
The Carnival, in February, is lots of fun. There are parades and lots of mischievousness and silliness. The town of Chapala does a festival of rides and bands, which is a bit similar to a county fair. There are some fun parades in Ajijic during Carnival. As one of the local traditions, guys dress up as women but with pretty exaggerated breasts. Some of them have balloons as breasts and they wear funny masks. They have satchels full of flour  and they throw the flour on you or maybe it is confetti. You’ll never know what is inside their satchel until the last second as they start throwing it on people. There are lots of fun festivals that happen here.
 
We celebrate Thanksgiving here for both the Canadians and the Americans. If you are lucky, you get two of those per year, which happens in October and November. There are small celebrations for 4th of July. Mexican Independence Day is also celebrated.  There is always something going on.

 

(Thomas Hellyer with his family outside his office in Lake Chapala after being pelted with flour by a passing Carnivale parade, Chapala, Mexico, pictured.)

What do you need to know about international pet travel to Panama? From personal experience traveling with our dog from the states to Pedasi, Panama was a bit stressful doing it by ourselves but it can be done.

 

 It's all about timing and making sure you are in contact with the Panamanian consulate and the Ministry of Health in Panama.

 

Below is a list of what you will need to travel with Pets to Panama. You can obtain...

What do you need to know about international pet travel to Panama? From personal experience traveling with our dog from the states to Pedasi, Panama was a bit stressful doing it by ourselves but it can be done.

 

 It's all about timing and making sure you are in contact with the Panamanian consulate and the Ministry of Health in Panama.

 

Below is a list of what you will need to travel with Pets to Panama. You can obtain information by visiting the Embassy of Panama online. Click on Services then click on  Consular services and then scroll down and click on Traveling with Pets.

1. Fill out the form Quarantine for Domestic Animals (Home quarantine costs approx $130)
2. USDA Sanitary Certificate, signed and sealed by USDA Vet and signed by the pet'’s vet
3. Vaccinations Certificate for Rabies.
4. Fee: $30.00 (money order or certified check).
5. Self-addressed prepaid envelope for return of documents.
 

All of the above needs to be done within a 10 day period. So be sure and use Fed-ex when sending documents. Also be sure and check with your airline for further guidelines for your pet.

 

NOTE: Fax the completed Quarantine for Domestic Animals form to (507) 212-9449 or (507) 238-4059 or email it to the Ministry of Health in Panama. This form must be sent to the Ministry of Health authorities 3 days prior to your arrival in Panama. I highly recommend taking a copy of your reply from them because they said they never received mine and I sent it twice. They almost refused me and my dog because of this.

 

With fees, vet bills and Fed-ex charges It cost several hundred dollars to do this but worth every penny :)

 

The fact that you can drink the water from virtually any tap in Panama amazes most visitors - but it is true - with the possible exception of not drinking tap water in Bocas Del Toro. If your cappuccino machine requires distilled water - you may need to buy that - but the taste and health of Panama's water is exceptional.

The fact that you can drink the water from virtually any tap in Panama amazes most visitors - but it is true - with the possible exception of not drinking tap water in Bocas Del Toro. If your cappuccino machine requires distilled water - you may need to buy that - but the taste and health of Panama's water is exceptional.

Belize has roughly 240 miles of coastline, with many coral reefs, cayes, and islands in the Caribbean Sea, and the Barrier Reef.
 
Most of the islands that I’ve visited are very beautiful, with crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and amazing coral life right off the shore.

Belize has roughly 240 miles of coastline, with many coral reefs, cayes, and islands in the Caribbean Sea, and the Barrier Reef.
 
Most of the islands that I’ve visited are very beautiful, with crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and amazing coral life right off the shore.